"Not only does garlic have a long growing period, around 8-9 months, but it also needs a spell of cold weather in order to grow to its full potential. This exposure to cold is known as vernalization, which sends plants into a dormant state in order to stimulate flowering or growth when the warmer weather arrives. For garlic, this cold exposure has an even more important role. Extended periods below 50 degrees Fahrenheit trigger the genes that help split garlic into its individual cloves."
"Without this, the garlic will still grow, but could possibly come out of the ground as one giant clove. Although garlic requires cold temperatures during winter, come spring it needs a spot with full sun and good drainage. For garlic to get cold enough, it has to be outside, but if you're limited to indoor space, you can still grow garlic shoots in pots for a milder flavor than bulbs."
Garlic requires 8–9 months to mature and needs fall planting to experience winter cold that triggers vernalization and clove formation. Extended periods below 50°F activate genes that split bulbs into individual cloves; without sufficient cold, garlic may emerge as a single oversized clove. After winter, garlic thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Garlic must be planted outdoors to receive cold, though indoor pots can produce edible shoots with milder flavor. Spring-planted garlic sold as seed has been cold-treated to mimic vernalization but still should be planted as early as possible to allow time to mature. Seed garlic from nurseries offers climate-suited varieties.
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